Why Floss?
Why flossing is important to the overall care of your teeth.
Have you had your daily dose of Fluoride?
Fluoride is found in your tap water and foods that are consumed every day. Fluoride is added and lost from the tooth’s enamel layer daily. Normally this happens when the acid and sugars formed by the plaque attack the enamel. The minerals fluoride, calcium and phosphate get redeposited in to the enamel layer through the consumption of tap water and foods that contain them.
Provided is an idea of what has fluoride sources to act as a tool for a healthy smile in your day to day.
The most important time for your teeth, is between the ages of 6 and 16. This is when we are losing our baby teeth and becoming adults and gaining our permanent teeth. This transition period is when the teeth are most important. Making sure that you start the correct treatment of the permanent or adult teeth when they first come in will help down the line.
Introduction of Fluoride
Fluoride has several ways of being introduced to the mouth. One of course shown above in your everyday eating and drinking habits, the other as simple brushing and rinsing with a fluoridated product and the last is the in-office application. We offer a few ways in our office:
Fluoride treatments are safe if used as directed, at high dosages can be toxic. Please supervise children 6 and under when using toothpastes and mouth washes that contain fluoride.
Should I get Fluoride?
Some people often wonder, if the most important years are the early years do I need to get a fluoride treatment when I am older? The answer is YES! There are several reasons that one would need a fluoride treatment. Tooth placement, inadequate brushing, and dry mouth are just three of the top reasons. If you have teeth that are deep into the back of the mouth it will cause plaque buildup and when not properly brushed and flossed the buildup will eat at the enamel layer. Inadequate brushing is just that, not getting the sugars, and acids off the teeth will also add to the demineralization or dissolving of the enamel layer. Lastly, dry mouth. Saliva is what helps prevent tooth decay by washing away food from tooth surface, but without the saliva there is no natural helper in the mouth. Dry mouth can be caused by medications you are taking as well, so please inform your Doctor of any new or changes in medication.
Oh, and let’s not forget tooth decay. When not brushing, flossing and adding the required amount of fluoride into the oral cavity your tooth enamel will naturally start to break down, which makes way to bacteria and decay.
Protect your teeth and they will give you a lifetime of happiness. Call 703-836-3384 today to schedule your cleaning and don’t forget the Fluoride!
